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patentdragonIt seems that Man Of Steel is a bit of a divisive production, stirring up all kinds of resentment amongst the comic-buying audience, and probably not helping their image very much. So, what's the story...?
Well, you most likely already know the basics. Put simply, MOS is a retelling of the origins of Superman, a story many will know without having read a single comic. There's not a lot to surprise the general audience as our hero-to-be is launched to earth to escape his home-world's demise - more of which we see in this movie than ever before, taking up a sizable chunk of the start of the movie. The childhood of Clark Kent is seen in flashback only, as we see him as an adult, trying to find a place in the world, but compelled to step in when disaster crosses his path, even though an otherwise supportive father has suggested it might be better to let people die than have Clark's true nature revealed before its proper time... and there's the first bone of contention.
In trying to "reboot" Superman for the push towards an AVENGERS-challenging Justice League movie, have the movie-makers played too fast and loose with the character? Some things are different from the "canon" - Lois Lane manages to track the then unnamed hero to his home-town (much as you might expect in the information age), the classic "secret identity" only gets set in place at the very end, and most controversially of all, Superman is forced to kill in the thoroughly impressive final battle - but not so different or out-of-place that the whole movie falls apart as a result. Instead, much of it seems to fit in satisfying fashion...
Okay, admission time. I am not a big Superman fan. I've often found the character way too overpowered to be particularly interesting, and of all the previous movies, only Superman II managed to make a strong impression on me - and that may have had something to do with Sarah Douglas in thigh-high boots. This movie, however, gives Superman opponents equal to his power-level, in the form of his own people, and whilst making their head-to-head battles quite spectacular, never making him or them appear too "god-like" in stature. Yes, this one works, and works well - on the action front at least, as this Superman doesn't shirk from getting into a fist-fight or several.
As far as individual performances go, the cast is more than capable all the way down the list. Henry Cavill has the biggest job to do, as the title character, but he's more than up to the task, helped by a fine performance by Michael Shannon as adversary General Zod, and a larger than you might expect contribution from Russell Crowe. Another bone of contention amongst some commentators would be the casting of Lawrence Fishburne in the rather... white role of Daily Planet editor Perry White, but as that aspect of Superman's world isn't centre-stage just yet, and Perry's impact on events isn't that great - simply, you'll hardly notice, unless you're really anal about such things.
Here's where there might be a problem. After the rather extended opening on Krypton, some elements of the story seem a bit rushed. It's true that every facet of Superman's origin can't be given equal "billing" or screen time, but the early years of Clark Kent are important, going some way to establishing his relationship with humanity. There's no real emotion when we either see Pa Kent's grave, or the flashback circumstances of his death, which is a shame, and maybe that's part of why some feel that this movie is lacking in heart. They may have a point, but to slam the whole production on that basis isn't really fair - this is a Superman movie in a most unenviable position... coming after Marvel knocked the ball out of the park last year.
So, that's story and cast dealt with - the substance - now, what about the style? Visually, this is a splendid piece of story-telling, with plenty of powerful spectacle as you'd expect from a planet-threatening event. Some may say they've seen it all before, particularly in AVENGERS, but whilst MOS doesn't have a Heli-Carrier, or a Hulk, there's plenty of "urban redevelopment" as Zod puts his plan to transform Earth into Krypton II - more than Loki and the Chitauri managed a year ago, and there's no shame in admitting that. For once, the 3D in the final act works better than anywhere else in the story, especially in that fateful final confrontation, with lives and the Earth in the balance. The production designers and effects crews are to be warmly congratulated.
In closing, all you can say is that DC and Warner Bros had to deliver, and I'm happy to report that they did. This movie just manages to edge out IRON MAN 3 in the final standings, taking up a very healthy second place on the 2013 Blockbusters list. There's still some way to go, and one serious contender for Movie Of The Year to come (yeah, I'm talking to you, Pacific Rim), so Team Superman can be justly proud of what they've done - even if the "true fans" are outraged that their hero comes away with blood on his hands.
Justice League took a major step toward becoming reality.
The Final Verdict... An excellent choice of leading actor, a skillful retelling of the hero's origins, and a climax to challenge Iron Man 3. DC at last give an answer Marvel's movie supremacy, and it's a strong one. 8.5/10
Elsewhat... Does a 20 minute Minecraft video REALLY take FOUR HOURS to upload? That's most of my evening, and it started not long after I got in!
Well, you most likely already know the basics. Put simply, MOS is a retelling of the origins of Superman, a story many will know without having read a single comic. There's not a lot to surprise the general audience as our hero-to-be is launched to earth to escape his home-world's demise - more of which we see in this movie than ever before, taking up a sizable chunk of the start of the movie. The childhood of Clark Kent is seen in flashback only, as we see him as an adult, trying to find a place in the world, but compelled to step in when disaster crosses his path, even though an otherwise supportive father has suggested it might be better to let people die than have Clark's true nature revealed before its proper time... and there's the first bone of contention.
In trying to "reboot" Superman for the push towards an AVENGERS-challenging Justice League movie, have the movie-makers played too fast and loose with the character? Some things are different from the "canon" - Lois Lane manages to track the then unnamed hero to his home-town (much as you might expect in the information age), the classic "secret identity" only gets set in place at the very end, and most controversially of all, Superman is forced to kill in the thoroughly impressive final battle - but not so different or out-of-place that the whole movie falls apart as a result. Instead, much of it seems to fit in satisfying fashion...
Okay, admission time. I am not a big Superman fan. I've often found the character way too overpowered to be particularly interesting, and of all the previous movies, only Superman II managed to make a strong impression on me - and that may have had something to do with Sarah Douglas in thigh-high boots. This movie, however, gives Superman opponents equal to his power-level, in the form of his own people, and whilst making their head-to-head battles quite spectacular, never making him or them appear too "god-like" in stature. Yes, this one works, and works well - on the action front at least, as this Superman doesn't shirk from getting into a fist-fight or several.
As far as individual performances go, the cast is more than capable all the way down the list. Henry Cavill has the biggest job to do, as the title character, but he's more than up to the task, helped by a fine performance by Michael Shannon as adversary General Zod, and a larger than you might expect contribution from Russell Crowe. Another bone of contention amongst some commentators would be the casting of Lawrence Fishburne in the rather... white role of Daily Planet editor Perry White, but as that aspect of Superman's world isn't centre-stage just yet, and Perry's impact on events isn't that great - simply, you'll hardly notice, unless you're really anal about such things.
Here's where there might be a problem. After the rather extended opening on Krypton, some elements of the story seem a bit rushed. It's true that every facet of Superman's origin can't be given equal "billing" or screen time, but the early years of Clark Kent are important, going some way to establishing his relationship with humanity. There's no real emotion when we either see Pa Kent's grave, or the flashback circumstances of his death, which is a shame, and maybe that's part of why some feel that this movie is lacking in heart. They may have a point, but to slam the whole production on that basis isn't really fair - this is a Superman movie in a most unenviable position... coming after Marvel knocked the ball out of the park last year.
So, that's story and cast dealt with - the substance - now, what about the style? Visually, this is a splendid piece of story-telling, with plenty of powerful spectacle as you'd expect from a planet-threatening event. Some may say they've seen it all before, particularly in AVENGERS, but whilst MOS doesn't have a Heli-Carrier, or a Hulk, there's plenty of "urban redevelopment" as Zod puts his plan to transform Earth into Krypton II - more than Loki and the Chitauri managed a year ago, and there's no shame in admitting that. For once, the 3D in the final act works better than anywhere else in the story, especially in that fateful final confrontation, with lives and the Earth in the balance. The production designers and effects crews are to be warmly congratulated.
In closing, all you can say is that DC and Warner Bros had to deliver, and I'm happy to report that they did. This movie just manages to edge out IRON MAN 3 in the final standings, taking up a very healthy second place on the 2013 Blockbusters list. There's still some way to go, and one serious contender for Movie Of The Year to come (yeah, I'm talking to you, Pacific Rim), so Team Superman can be justly proud of what they've done - even if the "true fans" are outraged that their hero comes away with blood on his hands.
Justice League took a major step toward becoming reality.
The Final Verdict... An excellent choice of leading actor, a skillful retelling of the hero's origins, and a climax to challenge Iron Man 3. DC at last give an answer Marvel's movie supremacy, and it's a strong one. 8.5/10
Elsewhat... Does a 20 minute Minecraft video REALLY take FOUR HOURS to upload? That's most of my evening, and it started not long after I got in!
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